The long awaited multi-million rand Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court which was meant to be completed in 2016 has finally been finished, officially opened and handed over last Thursday, in the presence of dignitaries, leaders and the community.
It consists of 16 courtrooms – a high court, district courts, regional courts, sexual offences courts, civil courts, family courts and an equality court. There is also parking for 255 vehicles, for use by both staff and visitors.
At a cost of more than R285-million, construction on the building started in 2014 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2016. However, financial constraints on the part of the appointed contractor had reportedly forced the project to stall.
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, handed over the court to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola.
With them was mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Zodwa Mzindle, deputy mayor of Ugu District Municipality Mandla Chiya, MEC for Public Works and Human settlements Sipho ‘KK’ Nkosi and others.
Dr Prenisha Sugudhav Sewpersadh, an attorney said she has worked at Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court for over 20 years.
“The wait has been worth it, there were numerous and many challenges at the old court such as the infrastructure and maintenance.”
She also said the old court was inaccessible to the public. Now the new court is a one-stop shop because it brings together a variety of services within the justice realm.
“It is going to serve the people of the Ugu District well, but ultimately it is up to the public servants to ensure that the court is used for the purpose it is intended.”
Mzindle said what caught her eye is that the new court is accessible to people with disabilities, at the old one it was hard for a person in a wheelchair to get in.
“The building is fire resistant too,” she said.
Also, it is close to the intermodal facility which will make it easy for people to walk to and from the court, to the shops and taxi rank.
“The municipality was able to bring most services close to each other, it makes it easy for people and they don’t have to walk or travel far.”
Mzindle said the challenges were the Covid-19 pandemic which forced construction to stop, also the contractor who experienced financial issues, which led to the appointment of a new contractor.
Lamola said the opening of the court is a welcome development.
“It will enable the court to provide comprehensive services to the community. The building that public works has delivered to us, is what we were expecting.”
According to Zikalala, at least 10 SMMEs benefitted from the project.
He also added that the building belongs to the community, not the government and that the people should protect and make sure that it serve the purpose which it is meant for.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
